n. pl. di·al·y·ses (-sēz′) 1. The separation of smaller molecules from larger molecules or of dissolved substances from colloidal particles in a solution by selective diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. 2. Medicine Any of several techniques, especially hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, in which filtration through a semipermeable membrane is used to remove metabolic wastes and excess fluid from the blood of people with kidney failure. [Greek dialusis, separating, dissolution, from dialūein, to break up, dissolve : dia-, apart; see DIA- + lūein, to loosen; see leu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] di′a·lytic (-ə-lĭtĭk) adj. di′a·lyti·cal·ly adv. |
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